A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Avignon vs. Bilbao for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Nightlife

Should you visit Avignon or Bilbao?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Avignon and Bilbao. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Avignon

Avignon is a quaint, charming, and scenic town. It also offers plenty of small town charm and also has plenty of sights and activities. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food. See Avignon travel costs.

Bilbao

Bilbao is a authentic, colorful, and friendly city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums. See Bilbao travel costs.

Avignon and Bilbao: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Avignon or Bilbao?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bilbao than Avignon, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bilbao is more popular for its nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Avignon is known for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and small town charm. Avignon is more touristy than Bilbao and is popular for its architectural beauty and historical importance. Bilbao is popular for it's world-class culinary scene, its modern museums, and its lovely parks. It is also home to The Guggenheim Museum.

How is Avignon different from Bilbao?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bilbao and Avignon. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Avignon or Bilbao?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its museums and landmarks. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Avignon are among the most recognizable in the world. The town is filled with historical landmarks such as Palais des Papes, Pont Saint Bénézet, Musée du Petit Palais, and Basilique Métropolitaine Notre-Dame des Doms.

Bilbao offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. A favorite museum in town is the popular Guggenheim Museum. From its iconic building to the unique exhibits, this is a must-see stop during your visit. Other highlights around town include the Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao, the Museo Vasco, as well as the city's unique bridges.

Is the Food Better in Avignon or Bilbao? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at terrific restaurants in both Avignon and Bilbao.

Eat your way through Avignon, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For such a small town you'll find many great eateries where you can sample French cuisine. You'll find bakeries, patisseries, restaurants, chocolatiers, and cafes to try. Cooking classes are also a popular activity in town.

For foodies, Bilbao is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The food scene is among the best in Spain. The city has several world renowned restaurants, including a few Michelin-starred restaurants, but there are also smaller eateries that cater to the locals and tourists alike. Make sure you try the pintxos, which are small dishes that are the Basque region's answer to tapas. Many include seafood and are cooked with olive oil and garlic.

Is Avignon or Bilbao Better for Nightlife?

Bilbao is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Avignon is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Bilbao has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a great late night scene that centers around eating and drinking. There are lively nightclubs, a good live music scene, and no shortage of people heading out on the town.

Avignon is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There's a limited nightlife scene but the bars you'll find are usually centered around Place de lHorloge, Place du Palais, Rue Carnot, and Place des Corps-Saints.

Is Avignon or Bilbao Better for its Old Town?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its old town. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town charm.

Avignon offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The walled medieval old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it's filled with history.

Bilbao has an old town worth visiting. The old town, often called Casco Viejo, is filled with historic architecture, great local bars, and some interesting shopping.

Is the Shopping Better in Avignon or Bilbao?

Bilbao is a very popular place for its shopping areas. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bilbao. Gran Vía is the most popular shopping street in town. There are also historic boutique shops around the old town.

Avignon is a great destination for shopping. There are several shopping streets in town like Rue de la Republique, Rue Joseph-Vernet, and Rue St Agricol.

Is Avignon or Bilbao Better for Families?

Both Avignon and Bilbao are good family-friendly destinations.

Avignon is a family-friendly town. Families can enjoy cooking classes, boat tours, and exploring the old town together.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bilbao. The city offers some great museums such as the Guggenheim Museum. Families will also enjoy taking a ride of the Artxander Funicular, and exploring Mercado de la Ribera. You can also enjoy walking around Park Abandoibarra and exploring the creative sculptures.

Is Avignon or Bilbao Better for Couples?

Avignon is well known for its romantic activities. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Couples visit Avignon frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Filled with history, couples can enjoy strolling through the old town or dinner on amazing French food.

Bilbao is a good town for couples to visit. The city is filled with a vibrant enjoy with parks and outdoor strolls that couples will enjoy. There are also many great museums and romantic restaurants as well as some great shopping streets.

Is Avignon or Bilbao Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Avignon and Bilbao are both good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Avignon. You'll find a few affordable hotels, but hostels are a little bit more difficult to come by.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bilbao. There are plenty of hostels to choose from and a good social scene that makes it easy to meet other backpackers.

Is Avignon or Bilbao Better for Students?

Bilbao is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Avignon is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Bilbao. This is a popular study abroad destination with many great museums and educational opportunities for international students.

Avignon is not popular with students.

Is Avignon or Bilbao Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bilbao is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Avignon is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Bilbao can get you to most places easily. The metro system has three lines. There is also a tram and bus system.

You'll find some public transit in Avignon, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are city buses as well as tourist shuttles around town.

Is Avignon or Bilbao a more walkable city?

Avignon is an amazing town to visit for its high level of walkability. Also, Bilbao is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Avignon on foot is easy. There's almost no traffic in the city center so it's easy to explore on foot.

Bilbao is a somewhat walkable town. It's a fairly walkable city with several pedestrian-friendly areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Avignon Worth Visiting? and Is Bilbao Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bilbao or Avignon?

How long in Avignon or Bilbao?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Avignon and Bilbao. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bilbao than in Avignon. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Avignon, and 2-3 days is enough time in Bilbao.

Families should spend more time in Avignon than Bilbao. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Avignon, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Avignon than Bilbao. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Avignon that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bilbao than Avignon if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Bilbao.

One day in Avignon or Bilbao?

Avignon might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

In Bilbao, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Avignon or Bilbao?

Avignon is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

In Bilbao, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the food. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bilbao has to offer.

Five days in Avignon or Bilbao?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Avignon. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Bilbao is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Avignon or Bilbao?

Avignon is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bilbao. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Bilbao. One reason most visitors come is for the food. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Avignon and Bilbao, we can see that Avignon is more expensive. And not only is Bilbao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bilbao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bilbao and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Avignon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Avignon than you might in Bilbao.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Avignon Expensive? and Is Bilbao Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Avignon or Bilbao?

Bilbao has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Avignon. When comparing the sizes of Avignon and Bilbao, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Avignon or Bilbao?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Avignon or Bilbao in the Summer?

Both Bilbao and Avignon during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Avignon because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bilbao this time of year.

In July, Avignon is generally a little warmer than Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Avignon average around 24°C (75°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Avignon. In the summer, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Avignon gets 354 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 188 hours of full sun.

Avignon usually gets less rain in July than Bilbao. Avignon gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Bilbao in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Avignon and Bilbao. The shopping scene and the small town atmosphere are the main draw to Avignon this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bilbao for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Avignon is around the same temperature as Bilbao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Avignon averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Bilbao fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during autumn. Avignon gets 178 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 125 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bilbao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Avignon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Avignon usually receives more rain than Bilbao. Avignon gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Avignon or Bilbao in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Avignon as well as Bilbao. Many travelers come to Avignon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Bilbao in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Avignon is cooler than Bilbao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Avignon in January average around 7°C (44°F), and Bilbao averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the winter, Avignon often gets more sunshine than Bilbao. Avignon gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bilbao receives 77 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Bilbao. Avignon usually gets less rain in January than Bilbao. Avignon gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Avignon or Bilbao in the Spring?

Both Bilbao and Avignon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Avignon in the spring for the small town charm. Also, most visitors come to Bilbao for the activities around the city during these months.

In April, Avignon is generally around the same temperature as Bilbao. Daily temperatures in Avignon average around 13°C (56°F), and Bilbao fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Avignon. Avignon usually receives more sunshine than Bilbao during spring. Avignon gets 218 hours of sunny skies, while Bilbao receives 117 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bilbao. In April, Avignon usually receives less rain than Bilbao. Avignon gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bilbao receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bilbao and Avignon